To better meet the demand for exit and entry document processing for people returning to or arriving in Chongqing during the Spring Festival holiday, on February 20th, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Chongqing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration opened special Spring Festival document processing sessions at its 42 service windows across the city. According to statistics, the windows served approximately 1,000 people that day, accepting over 702 applications for various types of exit-entry documents and providing expedited service for 7 urgent cases.

“Happy New Year! Our family is planning a trip after the holiday, so we came to apply for Hong Kong and Macau endorsements.” “How do I apply for a passport?” “Do I need to take a photo first?” At 9 a.m., shortly after the service hall of the Municipal Public Security Bureau’s Exit-Entry Administration opened, it welcomed many applicants. Facing the continuous stream of people, all on-duty officers and auxiliary police were in high spirits, quickly getting to work and patiently answering questions.

One applicant happily mentioned that she lives outside the city most of the year and plans to travel abroad with her family after the Spring Festival. She only realized her passport had expired right before the holiday. After inquiring, she learned about the special session on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year and came specifically to apply. She said, “It’s so convenient to have this special session! Traveling right after the holiday helps avoid the peak tourist season for a family reunion. This service is really heartwarming!”

It is understood that this year’s special service session marks the ninth consecutive year Chongqing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration has continued this “tradition.” This session not only efficiently met the document application needs of a large number of returning residents but also simultaneously introduced heartwarming measures such as “assistance services for children” and “assistance services for the elderly and disabled.” Refined services like priority lanes, dedicated guides, and accompanied processing provided more care and convenience for applicants with children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other special groups.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, historically known as a strategic port and wartime capital during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling municipal metropolis and a key economic hub, famous for its mountainous terrain, hotpot cuisine, and location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.

Spring Festival

The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, originating from rituals to honor deities and ancestors at the end of the winter harvest. Today, it is celebrated with family reunions, feasts, fireworks, and customs meant to bring luck and ward off evil spirits for the coming year.

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a major cultural festival celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, marking the beginning of the new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to ancient agrarian societies in China, where it began as a ceremonial day to pray to gods and ancestors for a good harvest. Today, it is a time for family reunions, feasts, and customs like giving red envelopes and dragon dances to symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, known for its deep natural harbor and iconic skyline, which evolved from a British colony established after the First Opium War (1842) into a global financial hub. It was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” principle, preserving its distinct legal and economic systems. Today, it blends Eastern and Western influences, with a vibrant culture rooted in Cantonese traditions alongside its colonial history.

Macau

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, known for its unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese heritage due to over 400 years of Portuguese colonial rule until its handover in 1999. Today, it is often called the “Las Vegas of Asia” for its famous casinos, but it also boasts historic sites like the Ruins of St. Paul’s, a 17th-century church facade that symbolizes its colonial past.

Chongqing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration

The Chongqing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration is a government agency responsible for managing passport issuance, visa applications, and other exit-entry procedures for residents and visitors in Chongqing, China. It operates under the national immigration policies of the People’s Republic of China, with its modern functions evolving from China’s broader public security and border control systems established in the late 20th century. Its primary role is to facilitate legal international travel and residence while ensuring border security and regulatory compliance.

Municipal Public Security Bureau

The Municipal Public Security Bureau is a local-level police agency in China, responsible for law enforcement, public order, and crime prevention within a specific city. Historically, such bureaus were established following the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, evolving from earlier public security organs to become a key part of the state’s administrative and legal framework. They operate under the dual leadership of both the local municipal government and the higher-level public security authorities.

Spring Festival holiday

The Spring Festival holiday, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China, celebrating the lunar new year. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, originating from rituals to honor deities and ancestors. The modern holiday is a national vacation period centered around family reunions, feasts, and customs meant to bring luck and ward off evil spirits for the coming year.